Srinagar, May 16: The government has already carried out the first flushing exercise at Baglihar and Salal — its two run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, with the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the Central Water Commission (CWC) has now recommended that such flushing become a monthly routine.
India paused the Indus water treaty and formally informed Pakistan of this decision by letter dated April 24. Pakistan had not previously expressed explicit willingness to discuss, despite two prior notices—in January 2023 and again in September 2024—requesting a “review and modification” of the IWT.
But recently it signaled its willingness to discuss India’s concerns. India placed the treaty in suspension with immediate effect following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. According to reports, on May 4 (NHPC) National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and the Jammu & Kashmir administration began flushing the Salal and Baglihar reservoirs to clear out sediment. Sediment reduces reservoir capacity and hampers hydropower output. . Sources said the flushing that began in early May removed just over 7.5 million cubic metres (MCM) of sediment from the 690 MW Salal and 900 MW Baglihar reservoirs.
Flushing involves releasing stored water to remove sediment build-up — sand, silt and clay — that settles in reservoirs over time. According to sources, Pakistan has objected to this exercise before as well, given that flushing, can temporarily boost downstream flow and recharge, the reservoir’s replenishment by closing of gates, can reduce the volume available for later release.
As an immediate step, India has decided to stop sharing hydrological data with Pakistan and will no longer notify it about reservoir flushing operations. Looking ahead, in the medium to long term, India intends to accelerate hydroelectric projects that were previously delayed due to Pakistan’s objections under the Indus Waters Treaty. According to sources, the government is now set to fast-track several hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River, including Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), Kwar (540 MW), and Ratle (850 MW).
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan. Under its provisions, all the water of the “Eastern Rivers”—Sutlej, Beas and Ravi—shall be available for the “unrestricted use” of India; Pakistan shall receive water from the “Western Rivers”—Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
